Size-related purging

viva

How do you handle purging when it is related to changes in your body shape / size?

I bought a pair of pale grey mostly cotton wide leg trousers in May, and they fit comfortably with a little room for ease but just enough slouch. They kept their shape through a couple of wears nicely. Best when dry cleaned, which I am fine with for work wear.

Fast-forward two months. I have lost a few pounds due to better food management and more regular exercise, both of which I expect to continue.
And now I feel like I am swimming in them.

They are only two months old! Do I purge them? (ETA: If I bought them today, I would definitely be buying a size smaller.)

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

9 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

Sal

Veteran

Congratulations on the healthy eating and exercise!

Could you get them taken in, or is it not worth it? Do you fluctuate seasonally from year to year in terms of weight?

9 years ago

carter

Veteran

I keep a few pair that are a size up and a few that are a size down. My qualifier is, "do I wish I had these in my current size today?" At my height, just 5 pounds can cause a full size change. I don't fluctuate for too long, but I certainly need something that I like and can wear when I do fluctuate.

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

If the pants don't feel great and you intend to stay your current size, then pass them on. Will they fit one of DDs?

If you go up in size next year, you can buy new ones.

That's my philosophy, anyway. I fluctuate by about 3 or4 pounds up or down and it doesn't change my size either way (things just get a titch looser or snugger), so my views may not be useful.

9 years ago

viva

Veteran

Thanks Kiwigal! The exercise has pretty much been a part of life, thanks
to my dogs and my love of yoga. But the food thing has always been
tough, especially since I work at home ... About a month ago, I started
tracking my intake using an online tracker, not dieting or limiting
anything, but just being more conscious about what I ate. And it made a
HUGE change in my eating habits and also a difference in my weight. It's
very exciting actually.

I don't know that taking the pants in is worth it, but Carter makes a good point. On my frame, a few pounds do make a difference, and these pants are in perfect shape and current. Perhaps they go into a holding bin in the attic for a while just in case. (I only want wearable things in my closet.)

9 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

Congrats on your weight loss. I agree with Carter about keeping them in case of weight fluctuations. Like you said, keep them in the attic (or under the bed in my case) so that if you need them, you can get to them easily.

9 years ago

JayS

Veteran

Another in agreement with Carter, here. My weight fluctuates 5 pounds or so occasionally. For me it's a whole size so I keep a size up. If you have the space, I say hang on to them for a few months and see how it goes. After losing weight, it takes a while for you body to settle in.
Just noticed that they're cotton...have you tried to shrink them?

9 years ago

Sal

Veteran

That is interesting Viva. I work from home too and it is easy to get into bad habits - I too am good with the exercise but can let myself down with eating mindlessly at times.

9 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I think those pants look great on you.

I don't purge - I "park." I park the favorites that don't fit right now in storage. Get them out of my closet, but not discarded, assuming they are classics, which I think your pants very much are.

I had a box marked "fat clothes" in which I had stashed a bunch of items that were very difficult to find at the time when I needed such items. But last year I purged 99% that was in there. Not because I was uber-confident in maintaining my weight (I wasn't, not with impending menopause) but because the styles had changed substantially since the last time I needed that size. It is quite possible the items that were in that box would fit me right about now (or soon, if I continue on my current track), but I have very little regret purging them. The only item I regret purging is a pair of BR ankle pants that were perfect length, in a khaki that was more champagne than khaki. I purged them thinking ankle pants were never coming back into style and I shouldn't be wearing beige... but alas... they would have been perfect this summer... sigh...

9 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

They look a size too big. I vote pass on. xo

9 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Oh boy I can certainly relate but the opposite direction.
I would probably park for a few months but I have a few hoarding tendencies

9 years ago

Category